Veneer jointer



Mardi 29, 1966 J. A. scHlKox-SKY 3,242,954

VENEER JOINTER Filed OCT.. 28, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JACK A. SCHKOFSKY March 29, 1966 .1. A. scHlKoFsKY VENEER JOINTER 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 28, 1963 INVENTOR JACK A. SCHIKOFSK Y TTDKNEYS United States Patent O 3,242,954 VENEER JOINTER Jack A. Schikofsky, Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada, assignor to Weyerhaeuser Company, Tacoma, Wash., a corporation of Washington Filed Oct. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 319,187 3 Claims. (Cl. 143-52) This invention relates to a veneer jointer that cuts both sides of a stack of veneer simultaneously to insure that the the sides thereof are parallel to each other. rMore specifically, this invention relates to a veneer jointer for cutting both sides of a stack of veneer employing a movable -saw table which moves horizontally with respect to the saws.

Heretofore, veneer stacks have been jointed by a traveling head machine or a guillotine-type machine that is capable of cutting only one side of a veneer stack at a time. This requires that the operator rst cla-mp the bundle in the machine, then cut one side thereof. Then, the operator must unclamp the bundle or stack of veneer, turn the bundle over, and try to line u-p `the smooth edge with a scribe line or the like, reclamp and cut the other side. This allows the veneer to move from internal stress changes when it is unclamped and before the other side is jointed parallel. Also, when veneer is joined in stacks, the friction between individual sheets often prevents per- .fect alignment of the jointed side, thus making some pieces that `are not parallel with the cut side. Moreover, differences in human error in placing the cut side with the scribe line or against stops causes the side to :be unparallel. This problem of forming the sides of the veneer in an unparallel manner is especially important in hardwood veneer because of the high value of the veneer and because such veneer is used for decorative panels where appearance is a prime consideration.

An object of this invention is to provide a veneer vjointer which forms the sides of a stack of veneer in a parallel manner. Another object of this invention -is to provide a veneer jointer machine which reduces the handling of the veneer I stack by cutting both sides of the stack at the same time section to show internal details.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the manner in which the saws cu-t the veneer stack.

Referring now to the drawings, the veneer jointer is generally indicated at 1 and is supported by a frame 2 which is provided with horizontal `beams 3 and vertical beams 4 with cross beams 3 between the horizontal beams 3. Above the vertical lbeams 4 are provided a pair of spaced-apart, elongated tables 5 to support the veneer stack during loading and unloading of the machine.

Positioned between the tables 5 Iis a horizontally mov- 3,242,954 Patented Mar. Z9, 1966 ice able saw table 6 comprising a pair of horizontal, spacedapart I-beams 7 and end vertical I-beams 8 which present a generally rectangular configuration. Hydraulic motors 9 are connected to the upper I-beams 7 Iand comprise a cylinder 10 Iwith a piston, not shown, therein and a piston rod 11 extending out the lower end thereof. The piston rod 11 is connected to a pressure bar 13 by a -coupling means 12. Anjupper pressure plate 14 is connected to the bottom of the side of the pressure bar 13 so as to be readily removable and changed in width. It should be of such material as wood or a soft metal to prevent damage to the saw teeth -if they come in contact with it. Each end of the pressure plate 14 is provided with a groove 17 that receives a guide bar 19 to insure vertical movement of the pressure bar 13 and upper pressure plate 14. The guide bar 19 is rigidly secured to the vertical I-beamS, as shown in FIGURE l.

A lower pressure plate 15 is mounted on a lower support plate 16 which in turn is mounted on the upper surface of the lower horizont-al I-fbeam 7. The lower pressure plate `15 is so mounted on lower support plate 16 so that it can be readily changed for a plate of a different width. This plate 15 should be of such substance as wood or soft metal so as to prevent damage to saw .teeth if they come in contact with it. The opposite ends of the pressure plate 15 are provided with grooves 18 to 'accommodate the guide bar 19 to insure parallelism with respect to the upper pressure plate 14.

The horizontally-movable saw table 6 is mounted on rollers which permit lateral movement of the saw table. The rollers 20 and 21 are mounted on shafts 22 and 23 which are connected to legs 24 and 25 secured .to 4the I- beam 7. It should be noted that the rollers 20 are provided with a V-groove around its periphery and the roller 21 is flat.

The roller 20 cooperates with a guide track 26 having a configuration to extend into the V-groove portion of the roller 20. Also, a track 28 is provided on the opposite side of the saw table 6 to accommodate the flat roller 21. The tracks 26 and `28 are mounted on the I-beams 27 which -are spaced apart and run parallel with respect to the entire machine. The entire track mechanism is supported by vertical I-'beams 29 with the I-beams 27 and -28 supported by wing track supports 30 shown in FIGURE 3. Further support is provided for the guide tracks by brace arm 31 extending across and connected -to one of the vertical I-beams 4.

An adjust-able stop plate 33 is provided that extends from one vertical I-beam member S to the other for the purpose of aligning the stack of veneer therewith when the veneer 70 is loaded onto the table 6. The adjustable plate 33 is supported by rod 34 extending through a babbitt bearing 37 mounted on the frame. Connected to the support rod 34 by pin 36 `is a push rod 35. The push rod 35 is secured to an arm 38 by a pivot pin 39. The arm 38 is rigidly secured to an elongated rod 40 that extends the full length of the table. It should be noted that a plurality of spaced-apart rods 34, 35, and 38 are provided as clearly shown in FIGURE l.

The elongated rod 40 is adapted to be rotated by a linkage mechanism including an arm 41 rigidly connected to the rod 40 and pivotally connected to another rod or lever 44 by a pivot pin 42. The lever 44 is pivotally connected to arm 46 by a pivot pin 45. The arm 46 is pivotally connected to arm 48 by a pivot pin 47. The arm 48 is pivotally connected to a rod 50 by a pivot pin 49. The rod 50 is connected to a lever 52. by a pivot pin 51. The lever 52 is supported by a horizontal support beam 32 by a support member 54. Pivot pin 53 extends through the lever 52 and into the support member 54. Accordingly, when the upper end of the lever 52 is moved back and forth the various linkage arms and levers will provide movement into or out of contact with the stack 70. It should be noted that the elongated rod 40 `is supported by support members 43 connected to the frame.

Intermediate yto the ends of the table and support frame 2 Vareprovided a pair of spaced-apart saws 55 and 56. The saw-56 is provided with a sliding support plate 57 which connects the motor 59 through a bracket '58. The motor 59 is provided with the usual shaft 6% `which is `in-turn connected -to the saw blade'61. The saw 56 is provided with a saw support-62m `the framework and is connected tothe slidable supportplate 57 by a dovetail connection 63 ysothat the-'saw may move laterally ,with'respect tothe table orlframeS.

The saw'SS'is-provided with a support l64, on the frame which cooperates withfa slide plate-65.that mounts the motor with thebracket66. The motor is vindicated at 67 and"isprovi'dedwith theusual-shaft` 68 which is con- Aa ybracket73. The motor 71 is provided with the usual shaft 74 having a sprocket, not-shown, connected to the end thereof. The vsprocket `has extending therearound a chain 75 which extends around another lsprocket 76 on a spool 79. The spool 79 is provided with a shaft `77'which mounts the sprocket 76. The spool ismounted on a support member 78 `tosecure the spool '79 in its position. The spool 79 is'providedwith a cables@ which extends around a pulley 83 mounted between .a pair 'of support Abeams 90 and mountedtherein by a shaft 86. The cable '80 extends around a pulley `vfili-and is connected to the table 6 by connecting means 8l.

The` other end of the cable extends the entire length of the frame and varound a pulley l184 mounted on a shaft 87 in angularlyspaced-apart-support members89. The cable 80- extends -around another pulley l85-mounted on a shaft 88 and-iis connected to the movable table `6 by a connection` indicated atl 82.

In-operation, it will be assumed that the-pressure bar 13 -is in its `uppermost position, pressure plates 14 vand 15 having a suitable .width are properly mounted in position, ,and that the power mechanisms are idle. The operator first adjusts V.the `stop board or plate 33 to the desired dimension to cut the veneer stack 70. This is doneby simply moving the lever 52 to adjust it to the properiposition. Thema stack of Veneer 70 is placed onto `the'lower pressure plate 15 with one side edge thereof abutting the adjustable stop plate 33. The hydraulic motors 9 `are then vactuated to extend the upper pressure plate 14 ina downward direction and on `top of the veneer stack 70. This compresses the veneer stack to insure that the veneers do not move when the edges thereof are trimmed olf. The saws S5 and 56 are then adjusted to cut the veneer stack v'70 to the proper width. Thereafter, the saws 55 and l56 are activated. The operator then moves the table 6 along the tracks 26 `and 28 by the rollers 20 and 21. This is brought about by activating the motor 71 which turns the spool 79 with the cable wrapped therearound. By activating the motor 71 the cable 80 is spooled up onto the spool and the table 6 is pulled from right to left to cut the veneer stack 70 as shown in FIG- URE 4. This position of the movable saw table 6 is .shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 2. .With the table 6 in this position, the cut stack 70 is removed. Then the operator simply reverses the motor 71 and pulls the table 6 back to its original position. Thereafter, another stack '70 may be placed onto the table and cut similarly as noted above.

While specific details of a preferred embodiment have been set forth above, it will be apparent that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. It will therefore be understood that what has been described herein is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A veneer jointer, comprising: an'elongated fframe; a pair of spaced-apart rotatable cutter means mounted on said frame rotatable inthe samedirectiongand mounted in the path of a stack of veneer Afor simultaneous cutting of the sides thereof parallel with respect to each other; an elongated table movably mountedomsaidframe; guide track means mounted on .said'frame andadapted to carry said table; pressure means mounted on said frame includingan elongated rigid pressure plate,.s ecured to said table, an `elongated vertically ,movable gpressure plate mounted on said table for vrigidly holdingfsaidstackgof vencer on said table and guide means mounted on; each en'd of said table y.guiding isaidmovable lpressure plate relative to said rigid .pressure plate; said guide means .comprising a vertically mounted elongated ,bar rigidly attached to said tableand rigid pressure; platewandextending into a groove-formed 4in each ;endgojf said movable pressure plate, said bar being slidable with respect to said groove; hydraulically actuated vmotorm eans `connected to .said movable pressure plate'forvertically moving-said movable `pressure plate.

,2. A veneer jointer, comprising: an elongated frame; a pair of spaced-apart rotatable cutter means mounted on said frame rotatable in the-same direction and mounted in the path of a stack of veneer for-simultaneous cutting of the sides thereof parallel with respect-to eachother; an elongated table movably mounted on said frame; guide track means mounted on said frame VVandadapted to l,carry said table; pressure meansmounted Ain said frame ysaid rigid plate; said guide means including .an elongated bar vertically mounted on each end of lsaid table and extending into a groove in each end of said movable pressure plate, said bar being slidable :with lrespect -to said grooveghydraulically actuatedmotor means connected to said movable pressure plate for vertically moving .said

Amovablespressure plate; and an adjustable stop means mounted on said frame adjacent one side of said table to abut one side of said stack of veneer.

3. A veneer jointer, comprising: anelongatedframe; a pair of spaced-apart rotatablel cutter meansrmounted on saidl frame rotatable in thesame `direction and Vmounted in the path of a stack of veneer for simultaneous cutting of the sides thereof parallel with respectto each-other; an elongated table movably mounted on said frameg-guide track means mounted on said frame and adapted to carry said table; means mounted on vsaid frame for moving said table along saidelongated frame; pressure means mounted on said frame including an elongated rigid4 pressure plate secured to said table, an elongated vertically movable pressure plate mounted on said table for rigidlyy holding said stack of veneer on said table and guide means mounted on each end of said table guiding Said movable pressure plate relative to said rigid pressure plate; said guide means including an elongated .vertically mounted bar rigidly connected tosaid table and extending into a groove in each end of said movable pressure plate to guide said movable pressure plate relative to said rigid pressure plate, said bar being slidable with respect to said groove;

hydraulically actuated motor means connected to said 5 movable pressure plate for vertically moving said mov- 691,267 able pressure plate; and an adjustable stop means mounted 751,060 on said frame adjacent one side of said table to abut one 2,810,411 side of said stack of veneer. 2,964,074

5 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 616,163 12/1898 Thompson 143-106 6 Hill 144-116 Davis. Hallock 143-108 X Brown.

WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner.

DONALD R. SCHRAN, Examiner.

W. D. BRAY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A VENEER JOINTER, COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED FRAME; A PAIR OF SPACED-APART ROTATABLE CUTTER MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME ROTATABLE IN THE SAME DIRECTION AND MOUNTED IN THE PATH OF A STACK OF VENEER FOR SIMULTANEOUS CUTTING OF THE SIDES THEREOF PARALLEL WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER; AN ELONGATED TABLE MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME; GUIDE TRACK MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AND ADAPTED TO CARRY SAID TABLE; PRESSURE MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME INCLUDING AN ELONGATED RIGID PRESSURE PLATE SECURED TO SAID TABLE, AN ELONGATED VERTICALLY MOVABLE PRESSURE PLATE MOUNTED ON SAID TABLE FOR RIGIDLY HOLDING SAID STACK OF VENEER ON SAID TABLE AND GUIDE MEANS MOUNTED ON EACH END OF SAID TABLE GUIDING SAID MOVABLE PRESSURE PLATE RELATIVE TO SAID RIGID PRESSURE PLATE; SAID GUIDE MEANS COMPRISING A VERTICALLY MOUNTED ELONGATED BAR RIGIDLY ATTACHED TO SAID TABLE AND RIGID PRESSURE PLATE AND EXTENDING INTO A GROOVE FORMED IN EACH END OF SAID MOVABLE PRESSURE PLATE, SAID BAR BEING SLIDABLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID GROOVE; HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED MOTOR MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID MOVABLE PRESSURE PLATE FOR VERTICALLY MOVING SAID MOVABLE PRESSURE PLATE. 